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HEAG099 Understanding Historic Buildings
HEAG099 Understanding Historic Buildings
Historic Buildings
A Guide to Good Recording Practice
Summary
This Historic England guidance sets out the process of investigating and recording
historic buildings for the purposes of historical understanding. It aims to assist
professional practitioners and curators, managers of heritage assets, academics,
students and volunteer recorders in compiling or commissioning records that are
accurate and suited to the purposes for which they are intended.
This guidance note has been prepared by Rebecca Lane, based on the earlier text of
Adam Menuge. It supercedes the English Heritage guidance published in February
2006, which itself replaced the RCHME guidelines Recording Historic Buildings: A
Descriptive Specification (3 editions: 1990, 1991 and 1996). This edition published by
Historic England May 2016. All images © Historic England unless otherwise stated.
HistoricEngland.org.uk/advice/
Front cover
Studying building fabric at Odda’s Chapel, Deerhurst,
Gloucestershire.
Contents
6
Preserving the record ................30
a building .....................................................9
4.4 Photography...............................................17
1 Why Record?
1.1 Records of historic buildings are 1.2 It is important that those creating a record
generally compiled for one or more of the should be mindful at all times of:
following reasons:
the health and safety implications of
to inform the day-to-day and long-term working in historic buildings
management and use of buildings
the rights and sensitivities of owners
to promote the understanding and and occupants
appreciation of historic buildings
1.3 This document is not intended to be
to secure an understanding of a definitive. Circumstances will often arise
building and its significance to inform when those involved with the care, repair
the preparation of a scheme of or understanding of an historic building
conservation, repair or alteration require records with content which may
differ from the levels described. It is
to inform decisions relating to the expected, however, that the forms of record
approval or implementation of a scheme outlined here will fulfil the requirements of
of development as part of the planning those for whom historical understanding is
or conservation process the principal objective.
2.1.1 The compilation of any building record 2.2.1 Recording will often take place as a
requires a significant commitment of requirement of the planning process. In
time. No recording should be undertaken, these cases the required form and level of
therefore, without first establishing whether recording can be set out in a brief, produced
relevant information already exists and by the local planning authority (LPA) or
assessing its merits. An appropriate form other regulatory body. In response to a brief,
and level of recording will build upon or as an alternative, a written scheme of
existing knowledge. investigation (WSI) can be prepared by an
Ground-floor plan of
64-66 Bridge Street
A
W
E
S T
S T
R
Shop
E
E T
A1
B R I D G E S T R E E T
5 0 30 ft
1 0 10 m
Figure 2 (above and right): 64-66 Bridge Street,
Berwick on Tweed, Northumberland. 64-66 Bridge Street/57 West Street and 51 West Street
Berwick-upon-Tweed, Nor thumberland
Individual building records can highlight the detail of NGR: NT 99770 52815 Scale: 1:200
a site’s development. See RRS 7-2015. Drawn by Allan T Adams BA FSA FSAI
Yarm Road
184
2
138
1-3
5
10
Bright Street
51
1
Pease Street 74
2
29
Cobden Stre
et
47
191
44
t
Eastbourne Stree 156
34
113
2
128
86
Milton Street
Cobden Court
Eastbourne
Park
30
115
92
4
Key Harris Street 39
houses built before 1854
plot layout in 1854 1A
62
0 20 100
metres
to the significance of the building as a others, though the conditions best suited to
whole, or of specific features or phases of one form of recording may not be the same
development more sensitive to damage or as those best adapted to another. An empty
loss. By identifying the survival of important building may make fabric analysis easier,
features, recording or assessment can help whereas one with contents intact may result
to steer proposals away from potentially in a richer photographic record. Similarly,
damaging interventions, or highlight the scaffolding may permit access to areas
need for further recording as building work normally inaccessible, but is a hindrance
progresses. Once a scheme of changes has to some survey techniques and general
been agreed then recording that precedes photography. In such circumstances
changes to a building’s fabric can document compiling the optimum record may
features that are to be removed or altered. require a number of visits; where time and
resources are limited the best balance of
3.1.3 Where possible, the timing of a record advantages must be sought.
should also take other factors into
consideration. Buildings typically yield more
information in certain situations than in
3.1.4 Certain building types will benefit from a clear justification for the loss of fabric
different approaches. Where industrial which may reflect an important phase
buildings house processes which are of of the building’s history. Where deemed
historic interest they are best recorded appropriate, a record of the fabric to be
when plant is still intact and preferably removed should also be made.
when employees are present and processes
are still active, safety considerations Assessing significance
permitting. The documenting of industrial 3.1.6 Assessments of significance are value-based
processes (sometimes termed ‘process judgements, measured against criteria set
recording’) can form a valuable component out in the NPPF or in Historic England’s
of the record. Conservation Principles. Recording at
the levels described below will often
3.1.5 In many historic buildings, alterations underpin an assessment of significance,
connected with later uses obscure much of and reports may include a statement of
the earlier fabric. Removal of later features significance as part of the conclusion of
should be sanctioned only following full the record. However, the value-based
assessment of their significance, and with judgements of a statement of significance
Creating a record of an historic building involves a range of activities. These are often
overlapping and mutually informing. Some practitioners will aim to be proficient in all
of these activities, but often collaboration will be required and it is important that the
insights generated by different specialists are shared promptly and are fully integrated
in the final record. In many circumstances choices will need to be made: is a feature
best captured by drawing, photography or written description, or by a combination of
the three? Accuracy and intelligibility should be the guiding principles, together with
a view of the purpose of the record. Early consultation with any archive that might
receive material from the project may also help to determine the format of parts
of the record.
local societies
local Historic Environment Records 4.1.2 The extent to which more detailed research
(formerly known as Sites & is necessary or desirable will depend on the
Monuments Records (SMRs)) level of record, and the merits of available
documentary sources. The range, scope
Record Offices and survival of these sources will vary
considerably. Nearly all buildings have left
Local Studies Libraries some documentary or cartographic trace.
4.4 Photography
Digital images
4.4.1 Digital cameras are now in widespread
use for photography in building recording.
Where a permanent archived record is Digital image formats
being created however, concerns remain 4.4.2 Digital capture can deliver good-quality
over the long-term access to digital images images provided that a high-resolution
(for more information see section 6). The camera is used – that is, one with sensors
recommended first step when creating exceeding 10 Mega Pixels. Most cameras
a photographic record of a building is will shoot in JPEG format with DSLRs
therefore to contact the archive where the also typically allowing the production of
record will be deposited and confirm their RAW files. RAW files can be converted into
policy. As a supplement to any archive uncompressed file formats such as TIFFs.
guidelines the following section provides However the processing of such formats
a minimum standard for digital image requires specialist software which may be
capture. Minimum standards for film unavailable to some recorders. Care should
photography are also provided below, for be taken to ensure that any images taken
anyone seeking to deposit a record with to form part of a permanent record are
an archive that still requires this. shot at the highest resolution available
on the camera.
4.4.9 In record photography the need 4.4.11 The use of a tripod is recommended since
to capture information about the building the act of placing the tripod and levelling
should be paramount, but pictorial the camera imparts a discipline to image
qualities, which often give life and meaning composition as well as ensuring that images
to architectural forms, should not be are unaffected by camera shake. When
neglected. Photographs which aim to using a DSLR with a choice of lenses the
convey the ‘atmosphere’ of a building can least distorted image can be obtained using
be evocative, but should form a supplement standard or slightly telephoto lenses. Wide-
to a series of well-lit images. An analytical, angle lenses can distort the image, and also
or systematic, approach to photography can tempt the user into nearer viewpoints than
also be valuable, helping to explain features necessary, with the result that information
by relating them to each other rather than can be lost. However, the use of wide-
photographing them in isolation. angle lenses is almost always necessary for
interior photography. Care taken in levelling
the camera will help to avoid introducing
distortions. A perspective-control or ‘shift’
lens is particularly useful for eliminating
converging verticals; for reliable results it
should always be used with a tripod. When
photographing details it can be helpful
to position the camera straight on to the
subject, and to include a clearly marked and
suitably sized scale parallel to one edge of
the photograph.
Introductory material
1 The precise location of the building as 7 An introduction briefly setting out the
an address and in the form of a National circumstances in which the record was
Grid reference. made, its objectives, methods, scope and
limitations, and any constraints. Where
2 A note of any statutory designation (that is, appropriate the brief for the work or the
listing, scheduling, Register of Historic Parks project design should be stated or appended.
and Gardens, conservation area). Information
on statutory designations can be found on 8 Acknowledgements to all those who have
the Historic England website. Non-statutory made a significant contribution to the making
designations (local lists) may be added. of the record, or who have given permission
for copyright items to be reproduced.
3 The date when the record was made, the
name(s) of the recorder(s) and the location Main report
of any archive material. 9 A discussion of the published sources
relating to the building and its setting, an
4 A summary statement (when no more account of its history as given in published
detailed account is intended) describing sources, an analysis of historic map evidence
the building’s type or purpose, historically (map regression) and a critical evaluation
and at present, its materials and possible of previous records of the building, where
date(s) so far as these are apparent from a they exist.
superficial inspection.
a Description
Before selecting the level of record it is important to consider both the nature of
the building and the purpose for which the record is intended. Each recording level
represents a minimum specification to which additional elements may be added
as required. There is usually a correlation between the scope of the written record
and the degree of drawn or photographic detail which is used to support it. When
surveying groups or complexes of buildings it is sometimes appropriate to record
some structures at one level and some at another, depending on their relative interest.
In such circumstances the value of the individual records may be materially enhanced
by an account of the history and evolution of the complex as a whole.
Note: the descriptions below refer to the For more information on area assessments
numbered lists in sections 4.3.3 (Survey and see Understanding Place Historic Area
drawings), 4.4.8 (Photography) and 4.5.2 Assessments: Principles and Practice
(The written account) in the previous section. (English Heritage 2010; revised edition
forthcoming).
at Level 3 will clarify the building’s history (see numbered list in 4.5.1)
sometimes item 24
5.7 Selecting the level and form
(see numbered list in 4.5.1)
of a record as part of the
planning process
Strategic Information on the distribution, survival, Typically Level 1 or May make extensive use
heritage planning variation and significance of building 2. Building-specific of external photography,
at national, populations, defined geographically, information may be supplemented by written accounts
regional or local typologically or chronologically. highly selective or of individual buildings and/or
level; studies Understanding of their evolution, variable in level synthetic text. Drawn element
of landscapes, to underpin heritage management may be omitted, simplified,
building types, decisions and as a contribution to limited to maps or restricted to
areas and academic knowledge key examples.
settlements
Management Baseline information on the nature For portfolios, a Level 2 Measured drawings may form an
planning and significance of buildings, providing or 3 record, which may important component, meeting a
for property a foundation for long-term decision- vary with the perceived range of non-historical as well as
portfolios, and making, and identifying where further significance of the historical needs. Where buildings
for individual knowledge is required building; for single form a tight geographical group,
buildings or sites buildings or sites, the or belong to an historic estate,
level may be 3 or 4 more extensive documentary
research may be practicable.
Proposed Understanding of the fabric at risk within Level 2 to 4 depending An account of the building
alterations to the context of the building as a whole, on the significance of (summary for minor alterations,
a significant and an assessment of its significance. the fabric at risk, and more detailed for major
building This allows proposals to be formulated the complexity and intervention), with detailed
and evaluated, and loss minimised. current understanding discussion of affected areas.
Also a record of what is to be lost, of the building as a Measured drawings are more
where significant. whole and of the class likely to be required for
to which it belongs major alterations.
Extensive repairs Detailed information on the nature and Level 3 or 4 The drawn record may be more
or alterations development of the building’s fabric, detailed than the norm, to inform
to a significant in the context of an overview of its step-by-step decision-making.
building with significance, and of the significance
complex fabric of its parts
evidence
Catastrophic Understanding of the nature and Level 3 or 4, depending Attention will focus initially on
damage to development of the building’s fabric, on the significance of areas most vulnerable to loss
a significant in the context of an overview of its the building, the extent (debris, charred timber, water-
building significance, and of the significance of of loss and safety damaged plaster, etc), which may
(for example its various parts considerations be recorded in greater detail than
major fire) normal to assist reconstruction.
Dismantling prior Detailed understanding of the fabric of Level 3 or 4 The drawn and photographic
to re-erection the building, and of the craft processes record is likely to be extensive,
which shaped it and will be carried out both prior
to, and during, dismantling.
The process of reconstruction,
including any departure
from traditional practices
and materials, may also be
documented.
Proposed Assessment of the significance of the Level 2 to 4, depending In special circumstances, and
demolition building and a record of what is to on the significance where resources permit, it may
be lost of the building. The be appropriate to undertake
level will be higher additional recording (including
than for buildings the application of excavation-
of comparable derived ‘finds’ techniques) during
significance which are dismantling, or to elucidate the
not similarly at risk context or earlier history of the
site through excavation.
1 0 5m
Sample 1:100 scale bar
5 0 20ft
1 0 5m
Sample 1:100 scale bar for plan or section
5 0 20ft
0.1 0 0.5m
Sample 1:10 scale bar for moulding detail
6 0 12ins
2 Waterside NGR: TL 54492 80145
Ely, Cambridgeshire Historic England
Surveyed: October 2014
Drawn by A T Adams
Figure 12
Examples of information boxes used for reference
and archive purposes.
6.3 Signposting
Drawing Conventions
As part of encouraging and facilitating the dissemination and wider use of building
records the use of standard conventions in architectural drawing are encouraged.
A set of drawing conventions is presented here, to provide a reference for those
producing drawings. Many recorders, particularly those who work in conjunction with
county recording groups or professional recording units, may have their own standard
conventions in use. These may differ slightly from those presented, but should
conform in their principal points. Conventions for line types in digital CAD files
are also presented.
7.1.1 The endorsement of a set of drawing CAD layering conventions are more likely to vary
conventions is intended to: with different practitioners, but an example of
a set of layering conventions is presented here
promote standard practices within the to encourage consideration of line conventions,
heritage sector in the preparation of particularly the clarity of layer names for anyone
architectural drawings for research, engaging with archived survey data. The following
planning and conservation purposes, layering protocol is adopted by Historic England
for publication and the archive for architectural survey drawings. It represents a
core of fundamental layers or levels, which can
facilitate the exchange of graphically- be added to as required. The prefix ‘0A’ in the
based historical information within the layer name identifies the source discipline as
planning and conservation processes architectural survey. For more information on
CAD formats see Metric Survey Specifications
indicate a minimum level of for Cultural Heritage (Historic England 2015).
information that should be included
in a record drawing
0A-Cutline The line of the principal cut, or plan line continuous 0.35
0A-Construction Construction lines, for deleting prior to desktop publishing continuous 0.13
Detail on cutting plane
Detail on cutting plane
Detail beyond or below cutting plane
Detail beyond or below cutting plane
Detail beyond or below cutting plane
Former and conjectural line of building
Former and conjectural line of building
Former and conjectural line of building
Detail behind or above cutting plane
Detail behind or above cutting plane
Detail behind or above cutting plane
Centre line
Centre line
Centre line
Scale bar 1 0 5 10m
Scale bar
Scale bar 5
1
1
0
0 10
5
5 20 30ft
10m
10m
5 0 10 20 30ft
5 0 2 10
0 20 30ft
10m
(for small scale drawings)
2 5 0 30ft 10m
2 0 10m
(for small scale drawings)
(for small scale drawings)
5 0 30ft
5 0 30ft
Plans Plans
Walls
Plans
Walls
Walls
Walls
Walls
Walls
Former walls
Walls
Former walls
Wall with plinth
Former walls
Wall with plinth
Wall of unknown thickness
Wall with plinth
Wall of unknown thickness
Wall of unknown thickness
Doors and windows, etc
Levels 1 and 2 Levels 3 and 4
Doors andDoors and windows, etc
windows, etc
Doors and windows, etc
External door with wood frame Levels 1 and 2 Levels 3 and 4
Levels 1 and 2 Levels 3 and 4
External door with wood frame
External door with masonry jambs and step up
External door with wood frame
External door with masonry jambs and step up
Internal door
External door with masonry jambs and step up
Internal door
Blocked doors (stippled or hatched), label bd
Internal door
Blocked doors (stippled or hatched), label bd
Window with sill and wood frame
Blocked doors (stippled or hatched), label bd
Window with sill and wood frame
Window with masonry jambs
Window with sill and wood frame
Window with masonry jambs
Walkin window
Window with masonry jambs
Walkin window
Walkin window (no wall over)
Walkin window
Walkin window (no wall over)
Walkin window (no wall over) All levels
Window with mullion: (a) wood (b) stone or brick a b
All levels
All levels
Window with mullion: (a) wood (b) stone or brick
Blocked windows (stippled or hatched), label bw
Window with mullion: (a) wood (b) stone or brick a
a
b
b
Blocked windows (stippled or hatched), label bw
Blind windows
Blocked windows (stippled or hatched), label bw
Blind windows
Architraves, pilasters, etc, to be shown where large or significant
Blind windows
Architraves, pilasters, etc, to be shown where large or significant
Architraves, pilasters, etc, to be shown where large or significant
Beam with chamfers and stops
Beam with chamfers and stops
Beam chamfered but no stops
Beam chamfered but no stops
Beam chamfered one side, stopped one end
Beam chamfered one side, stopped one end
Beam and joists, jetty brackets
Beam and joists, jetty brackets
Direction of joists, not drawn individually
Direction of joists, not drawn individually
inserted inserted
(a) Inserted or removed beam (normal beam labelled) inserted inserted
(a) Inserted or removed beam (normal beam labelled)
(b) Inserted beam and joists (alternative method) a b
(b) Inserted beam and joists (alternative method) a b
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous
Fireplace and chimneypiece (show hearth if present)
Fireplace and chimneypiece (show hearth if present)
Blocked fireplace (show hearth if present)
Blocked fireplace (show hearth if present)
(a) Posts and studs, cornice beam a
(a) Posts and studs, cornice beam a
(b) Studs, cruck blade
(b) Studs, cruck blade b
measured 1 metre from floor b
measured 1 metre from floor
Posts removed
Posts removed
Empty mortices a
Empty mortices a
(a) in wall
(a) in wall b
(b) in beam soffit b
(b) in beam soffit
Stud positions indicated by peg holes only
Stud positions indicated by peg holes only
Inserted window (show glass line)
Inserted window (show glass line)
Detail above or below (label), drawn separately: a
Detail above or below (label), drawn separately: a
(a) detail
(a) detail b
(b) principal plan b
(b) principal plan
Straight joint (visible both sides/one side only)
Straight joint (visible both sides/one side only)
Ragged joint (visible both sides/one side only)
Ragged joint (visible both sides/one side only)
Ceiling details, cornices, vault ribs, etc
Ceiling details, cornices, vault ribs, etc
Stairs and steps (arrow pointing up, handrail conventionised)
Stairs and steps (arrow pointing up, handrail conventionised)
show scroll if applicable
show scroll if applicable
Stairwell: ground, intermediate, top
Cupboard above floor level
Stairwell: ground, intermediate, top
Cupboard at floor level (optional label)
Cupboard above floor level c
Cupboard above floor level
Cupboard at floor level (optional label)
Direction indicators for sections A c A1
Cupboard at floor level (optional label) c
Industrial and mechanical
Direction indicators for sections A A1
IndustrialDirection indicators for sections
and mechanical
Box and centre line of surviving line shaft (drawn full extent) A A1
Industrial and mechanical
Industrial and mechanical
Bearing box, direction of drive
Box and centre line of surviving line shaft (drawn full extent)
Box and centre line of surviving line shaft (drawn full extent)
Boxes over door and window
Bearing box, direction of drive
Trap in floor with upright shaft and direction of drive
Bearing box, direction of drive
Boxes over door and window
Trap in ceiling with rope drive
Trap in floor with upright shaft and direction of drive
Boxes over door and window
Trap in floor with upright shaft and direction of drive
Trap in ceiling with rope drive
Box transferring drive from flywheel, flywheel bearing box
Trap in ceiling with rope drive
Box transferring drive from flywheel, flywheel bearing box
Box transferring drive from flywheel, flywheel bearing box
Flat fireproof ceiling, beams and castiron columns
Flat fireproof ceiling, beams and castiron columns
Flat fireproof ceiling, beams and castiron columns
Arched jack vaulting, beams and removed columns
Arched jack vaulting, beams and removed columns
Sections
Arched jack vaulting, beams and removed columns
Sections
Wall, wall and framing post
Sections Sections
Wall, wall and framing post
Beams and joists
Wall, wall and framing post
Removed beam, removed joists
Beams and joists
Beams and joists
Inserted beam, inserted joists
Removed beam, removed joists
Removed beam, removed joists
Timber beam (when beams of different materials are in the
Inserted beam, inserted joists
section) and metal I beams
Inserted beam, inserted joists
Timber beam (when beams of different materials are in the
section) and metal I beams
Timber framing (pegs and empty holes to be shown)
Timber beam (when beams of different materials are in the
section) and metal I beams
Timber framing (pegs and empty holes to be shown)
Removed framing
Timber framing (pegs and empty holes to be shown)
Removed framing
Removed framing
no splay on
window jambs
blocked window
19th centur y window
joint beneath window
groove of
former par tition arcade plate in attic over
chimney blocks
19th centur y
window modern wall site of doorway
overhead details
original window
original window
Studs formed from reused rafters
Later addition
Site of
A window B Site of
C window D
E
Groove in Scarf Groove in Site of
plate joint plate stair
Scarf
joint
A1 B1 C1 D1 E1
Site of Site of
window window
Cross section BB1
Braces replaced Former line
of wall
1 0 10m
5 0 30ft
Waterloo House, NGR: TL 53744 80393
3 West Fen Road, Surveyed: April 2015
Historic England
Ely, Cambridgeshire Drawn by A T Adams
Hall
Porch
East Wing
Flue over
South Void in ceiling
Wing Trap door in ceiling
Well
0 1 10m
Ground-floor plan
0 5 30ft
Nappa Hall Sur veyed: Januar y 2014
Askrigg Drawn by ATA, JB
Nor th Yorkshire NGR: SD 9656 9080
Drawing 2 (page 41): Waterloo House, Ely, Drawing 3 (above): Nappa Hall, Wensleydale,
Cambridgeshire. North Yorkshire.
Plans and sections can be carefully chosen to illustrate Plans of complex multi-phase buildings can be crucial
the most significant or complicated elements of a to visualising how elements fit together. At Nappa Hall
building. At Waterloo House, Ely, the first floor was a combination of TST and hand survey was used in
hand surveyed in order to illustrate the relationship order to cover inaccessible external areas and small,
between the remaining elements of the roof structure restricted internal spaces where no digital survey
and the main surviving structure. The position of equipment could operate (see RRS 44-2013).
the cross-section was chosen to illustrate the only
surviving crown-post truss (RRS 2-2016 forthcoming).
Hall
43
Parlour
Key
Additions of 1504-1551
Drawings 4-5: Apethorpe, Northamptonshire
Comprehensive survey coverage of a building can be
required where buildings are at risk, and/or subject
to large-scale conservation programmes. A complete
set of plans, sections and elevations of Apethorpe
was produced. The surveys were used to create block
plans suitable for use in the publication (see page 43;
reduced from the original), with the detailed drawings
like this extract of the southeastern corner (below)
used for conservation purposes (Morrison et al 2016
Apethorpe The Story of an English Country House).
APETHORPE HALL
57 rubble build
20 27
18 19 21 22 23 24 25 26 28 29 30 31 32
13 14 15 16 17
60
56
Floor trap
55
Outline of
Open drain channel trap under
55
3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12
Covered drain channel
2 9
1
38
43
44
39
45
Engine house
58
45
42
41 40
59
48
modern 49
47 46
53 50
51
52
10 0 20 40 60
Feet
Metres
2 0 10 20
Drawing 6 (page 45): Tone Works, Somerset. Drawing 7 (above): Boston Guildhall, Lincolnshire.
Plans of industrial buildings or complexes can be used Hand drawn reconstruction drawings can help bring to
to show the position of power plant and machinery life the physical evidence for how a building was used.
indicating how power transmission and process flow At Boston Guildhall detailed survey drawings were
work within such buildings. The Finishing Works at used to inform the creation of this cutaway illustrating
Tone Works, Somerset was surveyed as a building at high-status entertaining rooms on the first floor and
risk while all machinery was still in situ (RRS 72-2007). gaol cells and kitchens on the ground floor. This was
Key to drawing: 1-12 Scouring machines; 18-37 Milling reproduced in a publication on the history of the town
machines; 42, 43 overhead Stretching frames; 46, 53 (Minnis and Carmichael 2015 Boston, Lincolnshire.
Raising gigs, 55 DC electric motors; 57 Main belt-drive Historic North Sea Port and Market Town).
pulley; 59,60 Centrifugal extractors.
Wheels for
counterbalance
weight Spreader Wire
Guide bar
Rubble wall
Trolley Peg boards Open sides
Drum
Cable to Brick retaining
winch wall
Iron rails laid
on earth floor
Double Roman tiles laid on 2” x 2” battens Tongue and groove boards Dormer roof glazed Weatherboarding on end wall
Wire Double
doors
Twisting head
machinery
Safety fence
Peg board
Door
5 0 10 20 30
Feet
Metres
1 0 5 10
Drawing 8 (above): Dawes Twine Works, West Coker, Drawing 9 (page 48): Goonvean China Clay Works,
Somerset. Cornwall.
Sections are sometimes valuable for demonstrating Sections can also be more effective at demonstrating
the spatial, mechanical and functional flow through the form of a building. In the Engine House at
a building. The long section demonstrates power Goonvean, the section demonstrates the form
transmission and machinery in the rope walk area and relationship of the various components more
which was used to twist ropes. Surveyed for the effectively than a plan.
South West Mills project (Williams 2013 Textile Mills
of South West England).
M 6
© English Heritage
Organ
Ft 40
M 12
Drawing 10 (page 49): Woolwich Town Hall, Drawing 11 (above): St Mary’s Church, Battersea,
Greater London. Greater London.
The scale and construction detail of the complex Changes in the form and organisation of internal
structures can be brought out in 2D cross-sections, spaces can be elucidated through plans showing
often produced using a combination of survey internal fittings. Here changes in religious pratice can
techniques. Here the dramatic form of the scale of be demonstrated through comparative plans showing
the principal auditorium is shown, produced using its form in 1777 (left) and today (Saint 2013 Survey of
a combination of survey methods including Total London Volume 49 : Battersea I – Public, Commercial
Station Thedolite, Photogrammetry and hand survey and Cultural).
(Saint and Guillery 2012 Survey of London Volume 48:
Woolwich.) Reduced from original.
M 0.6
© English Heritage
30 feet
5
1
0
0
1 0 2m
1 0 6ft
Drawing 13 (page 53): Ditherington Mill, Shrewsbury, Drawing 14 (above): Cropple How Farmhouse,
Shropshire. Exploded view of iron framing. Muncaster, Cumbria.
Clear view of components can be important in Detail drawings can be useful to elucidate
understanding and presenting a building. Here an constructional details of timber or metal framed
exploded view of the iron framing of the Cross Mill at components of buildings. These can be derived from
Ditherington is key to informing a discussion about the hand-surveyed measurements as in the case of this
form of this highly-significant late 18th century iron timber door. Surveyed to inform amendment of listing
frame (Giles and Williams 2015 Ditherington Mill and of the building in 2010.
the Industrial Revolution, fig 5.20).
Historic England provides a range of further Guidance on a wide range of other subjects is also
guidance which may be used to explore many available. For more information see the guidance
of the topics covered in this document. All are section of the Historic England website. Other
available to download from the Historic England standards and guidance for building recording
website. The most useful are likely to be: and associated specialisms include:
Historic England 2015 Digital Image Capture and Dallas (ed.) 2003 Measured Survey and Building
Film Storage Recording for Historic Buildings and Structures,
Guide for Practitioners 4. Edinburgh: Historic
Historic England 2015 Metric Survey Scotland.
Specifications
for Cultural Heritage (3rd edition) Hughes (ed.) 2002 Layers of Understanding:
Setting Standards for Architectural Paint Research.
Historic England forthcoming Drawing for Proceedings of a seminar held on 28 April 2000,
Understanding Historic Buildings Donhead St Mary, Dorset: Donhead Publishing.
Historic England forthcoming Photogrammetric McCaig (ed) 2008 Practical Building Conservation:
Applications for Cultural Heritage Conservation Basics Swindon: English Heritage.
Ancient Monuments Society, St Ann’s Vestry Hall, Institute of Historic Building Conservation:
2 Church Entry, London EC4V 5HB: www.ihbc.org.uk
www.ancientmonumentssociety.org.uk
Association of Archaeological Illustrators and OASIS (Online Access to the Index of Archaeological
Surveyors (AAIS): www.aais.org.uk Investigations): https://oasis.ac.uk
Association of Local Government Archaeological Royal Institute of British Architects, 66 Portland Place,
Officers (ALGAO): www.algao.org.uk London W1B 1AD: www.architecture.com
British Institute of Professional Photography, Fox Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Building
Talbot House, 2 Amwell End, Ware, Herts, SG2 9HN: Conservation Group, 12 Great George Street,
www.bipp.com Parliament Square, London SW1P 3AD: www.rics.org
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, University of Royal Town Planning Institute, 41 Botolph Lane,
Reading, Miller Building, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AB: London EC3R 8DL: www.rtpi.org.uk
www.archaeologists.net
North West
3rd Floor, Canada House
3 Chepstow Street
Manchester M1 5FW
Tel: 0161 242 1416
Email: northwest@HistoricEngland.org.uk
Please contact
guidance@HistoricEngland.org.uk
with any questions about this document.
HistoricEngland.org.uk
HEAG099
Publication date: February 2006 © English Heritage
Reissue date: May 2016 © Historic England
Design: Historic England